Don't Miss Your Opportunity to Shop the Best of Lazaro

Just a little reminder that our trunk show featuring the best of Lazaro is going on today, tomorrow and Sunday at StarDust! Call us now at 972.781.1619 and we will find you an appointment!

Engagement Season - the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It’s that time of year again: engagement season!

Did you know that about one-third of all proposals happen between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day? Chances are, if you read us regularly, you’re probably already engaged, but surely you know someone – a friend, sibling, coworker, cousin, etc. – who just might be proposed to or proposing this holiday season.

If you have a friend who is doing the proposing, he or she might be interested in this fun infographic on engagements, which is chock-full of pertinent stats.

We also like this useful theknot.com article with sweet tips on romantic proposals. Pass these tools on to help with their proposal planning and you will be eternally appreciated. You’re welcome.

If he needs further inspiration for planning something BIG, check out our post last November on creative public proposals.

Encouraged your newly betrothed friend to share the great news! One fun thing to do after the deed is done is to publicize the engagement story! There are several options out there to get the word out:

Social media, such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram of course!

The Knot now hosts a proposal story page:

Actually several of the wedding planning sites offer something like this now, so get to Googling.

And here's another cute website dedicated to sharing your engagement story:

Now that he put a ring on it, it’s time to get planning! StarDust Celebrations offers everything that brides and grooms need to get started on the road to wedded bliss. From stunning bridal gowns and gorgeous apparel for the entire wedding party to beautiful accessories and buzz-worthy stationery and gifts, engaged couples can find just what they need for a wonderful wedding day at our incredible “all weddings, all the time” flagshipstore. StarDust is also renowned for superb wedding planning, with our team of expert wedding planners delivering beautiful, creative weddings every time. Visit our website to learn more about all StarDust Celebrations has to offer.

Don't Miss the "Best of Lazaro" Trunk Show

Lazaro is a master of the craft of extraordinary bridal design, and his gowns are timeless in their elegance. The designer is known for his impeccable fit, dramatic silhouettes and glamorous collections featuring exquisite beading and embroidery. Priding himself on the ability to design for any bride, Lazaro features everything from slender silhouettes to ball gowns and styles that range from simple to extravagant. The Cuban-born New York bridal designer is frequently described as the leading innovator of the contemporary-classic look.



We could not be more thrilled to host a Trunk Show for the "Best of" Lazaro on November 29-December 1. Lazaro is one of our most beloved designers, and we are excited to share the beautiful collection of his top bridal gowns with you over Thanksgiving weekend. Be sure to schedule your opportunity to order one of these best-selling wedding gowns with a special discount by calling StarDust at 972.781.1619.

Flavors of Fall and Winter

Happy fall, y'all! We may have mentioned a time or two that we cherish this time of the year! The saturated colors, the wonderful scents and the luscious, rich flavors of the amazing assortment of fall and winter foods! By the way, if you didn't notice the slight change in weather today, winter is right around the corner!

 

Bringing in the flavors of fall and winter is a great way to incorporate a seasonal theme into your wedding. Plus, with the chillier weather, your guests will appreciate warm, filling food. Here are some suggestions that are sure to satisfy your guests.

 

Hors d’oeuvres

Small bites are still big! Warm your guests’ hearts and bellies with shooters of thick, creamy soups such as butternut squash or potato leek.

Or incorporate the fabulous flavor of everyone’s favorite round orange squash in a pumpkin goat cheese tartlet or pumpkin mousse in puff pastry. Or what about sweet potato rounds replacing the expect crostini topped with herbs, cheese and olives?

Is your mouth watering yet?!

 Salads and sides
Salads are wonderful first courses year-round, but in the fall and winter, they are even better served with a warm vinaigrette!

And you might want to consider comfort food for your sides such as whipped sweet potatoes or roasted root vegetables.

Fennel is a slightly sweet seasonal flavor that partners wonderfully with all manner of foods, from fruits and root vegetables to garnish and being cooked into a demi-glace to go over meat. Scrumptious!

Desserts
Apples, pears and citrus are at their peak right now and are incredibly delicious! Incorporate these seasonal fruits into pies, tarts and cakes to take advantage of their luscious flavors.

If you’re an adventurous bride, be bold with your wedding and groom’s cakes flavors. Think gingerbread, carrot or spice cake; a vanilla or chocolate cake with peppermint buttercream; or red velvet.

 

While red velvet is ubiquitous in the south year-round, it feels especially seasonal around the holidays.

Cocktails
Lest you think we’ve forgotten, seasonal flavors make for fun and creative cocktails! You might want to check out our post on seasonal cocktails last fall, but we’ll give you a bit of inspiration here as well.

Anything cranberry would be a delightfully tart and tasty beverage. Warm drinks such as hot toddies or any spiked versions of coffee, cider and hot chocolate would thrill your guests as they head into your cocktail hour from the cold outside – guaranteed to warm them from their toes up!

Work with your caterer to find ways to include the season's best in your wedding reception menu. More and more caterers are planning their offerings around local and seasonal foods (thank goodness!), so this should be a fun and easy way to give your big day a little holiday flair.


image credits: Epicurious, Just a Taste, Martha Stewart, NY Times,  Pinterest,  One Stylish Bride, Sil Azevedo, Sweet Little Peanut

¿Habla Español? Why Yes, Yes We Do!

Brides, is English your second language? We are pleased to let you know that we have a couple of bilingual staff members at StarDust Celebrations ready to break down communications barriers and help you find your wedding gown! One of our bridal stylists is fluent in Spanish and another is fluent in Farsi!

If you would like to have one of these helpful ladies available during your shopping at StarDust Bridal Salon, please call us at 972.781.1619 to ensure they will be here when you plan to visit. This is just one more way that StarDust offers you additional value and excellent customer service.

By the way, we also have staffers that speak Texan and New Yorker, just in case you have need of those “languages” as well!

Shop the Expanded Watters Fall 2013 Bridal Gown Collection

Join us this weekend at StarDust for a fabulous trunk show featuring the full collection of Fall 2013 bridal gowns from Watters. These beautiful gowns feature luxurious fabrics, intricate details, exquisite necklines and flattering silhouettes.

The Watters Company started with a few handmade special occasion dresses for friends and family in California in the '80s. Today the Watters name is a household word in the bridal industry, founder Vatana Watters continues to be intimately and passionately involved in the design direction of the company. Known as innovators in the bridal fashion industry, Watters creates gorgeous gowns that are recognized for their creativity and quality, and these gowns are sophisticated and gorgeous!

Real StarDust Bride Wows in Matthew Christopher

We're all still swooning over The Big Bang Theory's star Kaley Cuoco in those Matthew Christopher gowns for her new movie, The Wedding Ringer. So we thought we'd share more MC fabulousness with this Real Wedding featuring a gorgeous StarDust Bride in her stunning Matthew Christopher Sasha bridal gown.

Beautiful StarDust bride Hayley is radiant in her Matthew Christopher Sasha gown.

Let's be honest, the ad photos from wedding gown designers are always INCREDIBLE, perfectly styled and shot with the best lighting and angles and all that. So it is always reassuring to our brides to see another real-life bride in her gown looking equally as fabulous! The beauty of a gown on a real bride really does translate!

The lovely model in the Matthew Christopher ad shot looks fantastic, no doubt about it!

But we think real bride Hayley looks A-MAY-ZING! Plus, you simply cannot replicate that dazzling wedding-day glow!

To see this full wedding - which was an absolutely gorgeous event - visit the photographer's website: Aves Photography.

Love Lace? Shop James Clifford Trunk Show this Weekend

James Clifford's couture bridal gown collection features classic looks in combination with a modern fashion flare. Luxurious fabrics of silk, satin and traditional, romantic lace make each wedding dress special in its own way. Gorgeous, eye-catching details of hand-beaded Swarovski crystal, sculpted necklines and figure-flattering rouching add glamour and sophistication. Unique styling reflects the creativity and salability of the James Clifford Collection with a variety of wedding gown silhouettes that appeal to the fashionable bride.

Join us at Stardust Bridal Salon for a trunk show featuring these beautiful and romantic gowns this weekend, November 15-17. Call 972.781.1619 for your appointment.

Fall Trend Alert: The Warm Beverage Bar

It is finally feeling like Fall is here to stay, and we are in love with this chillier weather! With the cooler temps comes oodles of wonderfully fun ideas for Fall weddings! We are fortunate here in the North Texas area because even when it’s “cold,” it’s still mild enough to have a Dallas wedding with outdoor elements. One of our faves right now is the coffee bar, hot cocoa bar, hot apple cider bar – or a warm beverage bar offering all three! Having one of these fabulous hot beverage stations outside on a patio at your wedding reception is a great opportunity for your guests to get some fresh air while enjoying more delightful wedding details!

Coffee bars at wedding receptions have been around for a while, but fabulous coffee never goes out of style, especially when you need a warm, caffeine-infused pick-me-up during a great party! Offer embellishments such as flavored syrups, chocolate shavings, sweet liquors (think amaretto, Frangelico and butterscotch schnapps, to name a few), chocolate spoons and cinnamon.

Hot chocolate bars are divine and will be adored by kids and adults alike! Include delectable garnishes like peppermint sticks, luscious libations – such as Kalua, Irish Cream and Peppermint Schnapps – whipped cream, chocolate chips, cinnamon sticks, mini marshmallows, crumbled toffee bar (such as Heath), and espresso shots (yes, please!). Hmmm, seems like we could go on and on here. Seriously, what doesn’t go with hot cocoa?!

Hot apple cider is the perfect fall beverage! No doubt it’s sweet, homey goodness will reward your guests with a bit of nostalgia. Offer scrumptious stir-ins such orange slices or wedges, caramel squares or sauce, cinnamon sticks, red hot candies, sprigs of rosemary, whipped cream and ice cream!!! Yes – we said ice cream! You simply cannot imagine the heavenly marriage of hot apple cider and a scoop of vanilla, dulce de leche or butter pecan ice cream! You. Must. Try. This!

p.s. We think a donut tower lends itself perfectly as a partner to your warm beverage bar! Don’t you?!

 

We wish you much fun and enjoyment as you plan the special details of your wedding day! Be inspired and happy planning!

image sources: Style Me Pretty, Pinterest, Colin Cowie and Wedding Chicks

Stardust Bride Featured in Brides of North Texas

We love getting to see our beautiful Stardust brides and their stunning weddings on the pages of the Dallas wedding magazines! One of our bridal gown clients and her sweet Hickory Street Annex wedding is featured in the current issue of Brides of North Texas. We think Amanda looks resplendent in her lovely lace Tara Keely wedding gown! Congrats, Amanda and Tyler!

If you haven't picked up your copy of the Fall/Winter 2013 issue of Brides of North Texas, you should do so! It is chockfull of bridal eye candy, wedding planning inspiration and Dallas wedding experts sure to set you on the right path for planning your big day!

Go Glam this Weekend at our YSA Makino Trunk Show

Innovative YSA Makino wedding gowns celebrate femininity and feature stunning detail, from texture and embroidery to lace and beadwork. These gorgeous gowns are also known for punches of color and the incredible use of sumptuous fabric. YSA Makino has been a sought-after label by celebrities who frequently wear pieces of the evening gown collection at red carpet events. Big name fans include Alicia Keys, Jane Seymour, Mariah Carey, Reba McEntire, CSI Miami’s Eva LaRue and Pussycat Dolls’ Melody Thornton, among others.

Call Stardust Bridal Salon at 972.781.1619 today to schedule your appointment during the YSA Makino Bridal Gown Trunk Show this weekend, November 8-10. YSA Makino available exclusively at Stardust in North Texas.

Sense-ability: Creating a Wedding that Appeals to the Five Senses

A great wedding tickles all of your senses. Our senses are how we really take things in, how we truly enjoy our lives and the world around us. Imagine with us for a moment all of the wonderful ways your senses can be stimulated during a wedding ceremony and reception.

 

The feels: the silkiness of the elegant paper of your wedding invitation, program and menu cards; a hug or kiss from an old friend; the various textures of ladies’ gorgeous gowns or the guest tables’ rich linens

 

 

The sights: the sweet expression on a groom’s face when he gets his first glimpse of his beautiful bride coming up the aisle; the couple’s romantic first dance; gorgeously decorated ballrooms and stunning cakes as works of art

 

 

The sounds: peals of laughter; a full spectrum of great music; the buzz of conversation between friends, old and new

 

 

The scents: fragrant candles filling a ceremony space; aromatic food being passed during cocktail hour and served during dinner; luscious floral scents wafting off of the centerpieces

 

 

The tastes: delectable ingredients prepared by skilled artisans into a meal worth savoring; sweet, tender and flavorful cake melting in your mouth; the tart bite and gentle kick of a fabulous signature cocktail

 

 

Take time to think through these ideas while wedding planning. Your efforts to incorporate elements to tantalize all five sense into your wedding day will be noticed. Your guests will appreciate all that you’ve done to make your wedding celebration special and memorable. And it will be memorable!

 

If you think you might need professional assistance in pulling all of these kinds of details together, contact our certified wedding planners to learn more about Stardust’s wedding designand planning services. You’ll meet with one of our talented team members to discuss your needs and how we can help you have the beautiful, imaginative wedding you’ve always envisioned!

All photos are from Stardust Celebrations weddings; image credits: Amy Herfurth, Dorothy Gautreaux, f8studio, Helmutwalker, Joseph Mark, Kelly Alexander, Sarah Kate, Sil Azevedo, Vim, Visual Image